Versatile sandal having adjustable straps

ABSTRACT

A sandal having easily adjustable straps that allows a user to quickly modify the tightness of the sandal to adjust to the exact dimensions of the user&#39;s foot in order to secure the most comfortable grip for either casual or athletic activities. The sandal exhibits a lightweight, robust, high strength, flexible construction including an elongated sole for supporting a foot, where the sole has a toe end and a heel end, a center toe strap, an interior strap, and an exterior strap. The toe strap is anchored in the toe and includes a distal end fixedly connected to a pivot means, such as a buckle, for securing and redirecting the side straps. The interior and exterior straps are fixedly secured near the middle of the sole of the sandal and extend forwardly with a slip fit through the front pivot means, then rearwardly back upon themselves. The interior and exterior straps have a free end portion on which a fastener device, such as a hook and loop strip is mounted, which allows it to be adjustably fashioned back upon itself. The adjustment of both the interior and exterior end straps allows the user to adjust the tightness of the sandal to prevent slippage and to secure the sandal snugly to the users foot, thereby minimizing the typical “flip-flop” movement and sound associated with nonadjustable sandals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to sandals, specifically to a sandal that iseasily adjustable to support a custom range fits to the unique size andshape of a user's foot.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Many other sandal strap arrangements have been marketed and/or proposedover the centuries, but most have been designed to supportalternatively, either a casual fit or a sport fit.

The casual fit sandal has been referred to by a number of namesthroughout the United States. Often this type of sandal is referred toas either a thong-type sandal or as a flip-flop. In its conventionalform, the causal fit sandal is characterized by a sole, often made of asynthetic material, having an elongated shape to define a toe portionand a heal portion. Attached to the top portion is a wishbone shapedstrap that extends into two side straps that are attached to theinterior and exterior sides of the sole. The thong fits between the bigtoe and its adjacent toe, and the straps fit over the top and sides ofthe foot to hold the sandal to the user's foot.

Examples of casual use sandals are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,883,252, 6,883,252, 4,069,601, and 2,947,095. All of the sandals havea generally Y or wishbone shape, with the ends (the legs of the Y) beinginserted through respective apertures in the insole. However, none ofthese sandals allow the wearer to adjust the fit of the sandal to theunique size and shape of the wear's foot. As such, these sandals arelikely to be either too loose or too tight on the unique foot of theuser, and as such, the “one size fits all” approach reduces the comfortof the sandal.

Furthermore, because these types of sandals do not properly fit thewearer's foot, there is an increased chance that the sandal will slip orroll during physical activity. This can lead to tripping, as well asinjuries to the foot or ankle.

Another problem caused by an improperly fitting sandal is that as thewearer walks, the sandal does not maintain contact with the wearer'sfoot, causing the sandals to slap against the users foot, therebycreating the “flip-flop” sound from which its namesake is derived.

Examples of sport fit sandals are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re.35,452, 5,205,054, 4,793,075, and 6,237,250. Each of the sports sandalsallows the user to adjust the straps on the sandal to ensure a securefit for more active activities. However, each of the designs alsorequire additional heel and/or ankle straps to accomplish the goal of asecure fitting sandal.

Although these additional straps further secure the sandals placement onthe foot of the wearer, they also significantly increase the amount ofeffort that the wearer must expend to both put on and take off thesandal. Each time the wearer wishes to put on the sandal, the wearermust go through a time consuming process to first loosen the straps toallow the foot into the strap harness and then the user must readjustall the straps to tighten the fit. To remove the sandal, the user mustfirst loosen a number of straps to allow the foot to gain freedom.

These additional heel and/or ankle straps also cause discomfort fromirritation and redness, to painful blisters where they touch the wearersskin, especially on the heel and ankle contact points.

3. Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are a sandalthat maximizes the user's convenience, comfort, and safety.

An object of the invention is to provide a sandal with a system ofadjustment that allows the wearer to customize the fit of the sandal tothe exact dimensions of their foot.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal that onceproperly fitted to the user's foot will keep this fit correctlypositioned when the user puts on or removes the sandal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal, that has thetightness and security of a sport sandal, but that also allows the userto conveniently put on or remove the sandal, without the burden that isimposed by sandal designs that require the wearer to adjust andmanipulate heel and/or ankle straps.

It is an additional object of this invention to allow the user toquickly and easily, with only two quick movements, adjust the sandal tocreate a custom fit that ensures the most comfortable fitting to theunique size and shape of a user's foot. Furthermore, the secure fittingalso prevents the user from having to grip the sandal with their toes inorder to keep the sole in the correct position when walking. Theconstant necessity of the wearer to grip a loose fitting sandal canexhaust the foot causing discomfort when the user wears the shoe for anextended period.

Additionally, by fitting the sandal securely to the user's foot, thesandal minimizes the “flip-flop” sound that is caused as poorly fittingsandals slap against the user's foot as they walk.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sandal, that a user mayadjust to fine-tune the fit of the sandal, such that it can be loosenedwhen less strenuous activity is required, or tightened when vigorousactivity is required. The ability to securely tighten the sandal to theuser's foot increases the safety and mobility of the wearer when he orshe is engaged in more athletic activity.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent froma consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sandal in accordance with the present invention comprising anelongated sole with a toe end and a heel end. A center toe strap isanchored in the toe end, which terminates in an attached pivot means.The sandal has side straps attached to the interior and exterior area ofthe sole. These straps pass forwardly through the pivot means, and thenare folded rearwardly over on themselves. The user can then pull on thefolded over ends of the strap to tighten the fit of the shoe to theunique size and shape of his foot. Once adjusted to a proper length, thestraps are then held in place by a fastening device such as a hook andloop fastener or a buckle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sandal having an adjustable strapsystem, showing a sole, the interior and exterior straps, a center toestrap, and a means for adjusting the straps.

FIG. 2 is side elavational view of a sandal having an adjustable strapsystem, showing a sole, the interior and exterior straps, a center toestrap, and a means for adjusting the straps. The sandal is depicted asit would appear when it is secured to the wearer's foot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The novel sandal of this invention can be better understood by referenceto FIG. 1. It includes a sole 1 which is configured to the profile of ahuman foot. The sole can consist of a multitude of layers, including aninsole 2, an outsole 3, and any number of mid soles [not shown here].These soles are cemented together after the straps and anchor membersare secured to the undersurface of the insole 4. The sole 1 is typicalof those found in sandals with the base having various tread patterns[not shown] suitable for the application for which the sandal isdesigned. Regardless of the soles design, all of the novel sandals ofthis invention have an adjustable strap system 5 to comfortably retainit in on a wearer's foot. This system is typically made of soft,nonstretchable nylon webbing and is specially constructed so thatarticulation of the foot will not allow the system to loosen duringrigorous sport activities.

More particularly, the novel adjustable strap system 5 is composed oftwo units, which are the toe unit 6, and the strap unit 7, which iscomposed of the interior strap 8 and the exterior strap 9. The interiorand exterior straps are fixedly secured near the middle of the sole ofthe sandal and extend forwardly towards the toe strap unit. Furthermore,the interior and exterior strap can consist of single strap that isthreaded through an opening 4.

The toe unit 6 includes a toe strap 10 which is connected adjacent tothe inside edge of the sole near the toe end 11 of the sandal. Itemerges from the sole in a position so the toe strap will fit betweenthe 1^(st) metatarsal and its connected plalange [big toe bone] and thesecond metatarsal. The distal end of the toe strap extends about an inchabove the top of the sole and terminates in an attached pivot means 12.

The attached pivot means 12 could be any type of shape that will allowthe interior and exterior straps to be threaded through the shape, andthen rearwardly pivoted towards the heel portion of the sole 13 when thestraps are cinched on the wearer's foot. More particularly, the shape ofthe pivot means could be circular or triangular. The attached pivotmeans could also have threaded slots 14 as guides for the straps.

The toe unit and the strap unit are connected by threading the distalend 15 of the interior strap 8 and the distal end 15 of the exteriorstrap 9 through the pivot means 12 as shown in FIG. 2. Both straps arethem looped back against themselves.

An adjustable fastener device 16 then joins the opposing portions ofeach strap together to adjust each straps length. The adjustablefastening device 16 can consist of hook and loop fasteners that arebetween the surfaces of the opposing portions of the straps. The distalend of each strap 15 can have an elongated hook patch 17 sewn to it andthen there is a corresponding loop patch sewn to the central portion ofthe strap 18. It can be appreciated that by pulling on the distal end ofthe strap it can be cinched angularly across the top of the wearer'sfoot and then held in place when the two patches are brought in contact.Furthermore, the fastener device can consist of a buckle on the lowerportion of each strap. [Not shown] Once the distal end of each strap isthreaded through the pivot means, and folded over, it can then bethreaded though the buckle to both adjust the length of the strap aswell as maintain its adjusted length.

As a result the wearer is assured the sandal will stay in place, whetherwalking or engaged in more athletic activity.

1. A sandal having adjustable straps for securing said sandal to thefoot of a wearer thereof comprising: an insole; an outsole; said insoleand said outsole are joined together to form a unitary elongated solefor supporting a foot, said sole having a toe end and a heel end, and aninterior and exterior side; a center toe strap, said toe strap isanchored in the toe end of said sandal, said center toe strap having adistal end which terminates in an attached pivot means; an interiorstrap, said interior strap is secured to the interior area of said sole,said interior strap passes forwardly through said pivot means, and thensaid interior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bring firstand second portions thereof into opposing relationship; a firstadjustable fastener device, said first adjustable fastener device joinsthe opposing portions of said interior strap together to adjust thelength of said interior strap; an exterior strap, said exterior strap issecured to the exterior area of the sole, said exterior strap passesforwardly through said pivot means, and then said exterior strap isfolded rearwardly over on itself to bring first and second portionsthereof into opposing relationship; a second adjustable fastener device,said second adjustable fastener device joins the opposing portions ofsaid exterior strap together to adjust the length of said exteriorstrap; whereby adjustment of the length of the interior and exteriorstraps allows the user to vary the fit of the sandal to a particularfoot on said elongated sole.
 2. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said pivotmeans is formed with a ring.
 3. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said pivotmeans includes a plurality of slots for enabling the side straps to foldback upon themselves;
 4. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said first andsecond adjustable fastener devices are formed with hook and loop patcheson said straps
 5. The sandal of claim 1 wherein said first and secondadjustable fastener devices are formed with a buckle on said straps
 6. Asandal having adjustable straps for securing said sandal to the foot ofa wearer thereof comprising: an elongated sole for supporting a foot,said sole having a toe end and a heel end, and an interior and exteriorside; a ring, said ring contains a plurality of slots; a center toestrap, said toe strap is anchored in the toe end of said sandal, saidcenter toe strap having a distal end which terminates in said ring; aninterior strap, said interior strap is secured to the interior area ofsaid sole, said interior strap passes forwardly through the slots ofsaid ring, and then said interior strap is folded rearwardly over onitself to bring first and second portions thereof into opposingrelationship; a first pair of hook and loop fasteners, said first pairof hook and loop fasteners join the opposing portions of said interiorstrap together to adjust the length of said interior strap; an exteriorstrap, said exterior strap is secured to the exterior area of the sole,said exterior strap passes forwardly through the slots of said ring, andthen said exterior strap is folded rearwardly over on itself to bringfirst and second portions thereof into opposing relationship; a secondpair of hook and loop fasteners which joins the opposing portions ofsaid exterior strap together to adjust the length of said exteriorstrap; whereby adjustment of the length of the interior and exteriorstraps allows the user to vary the fit of the sandal to a particularfoot on said elongated sole.
 7. The sole sandal of claim 6 wherein saidelongated sole is composed of an insole and an outsole, whereby saidinsole and said outsole are joined together to form a unitary elongatedsole for supporting a foot, said unitary sole having a toe end and aheel end, and an interior and exterior side;